I went to the Circuit Assembly last weekend. We went up Friday, so we could have some time to chill before the Assembly Saturday and Sunday.
Our "Christian Convoy" happened to include a very nice family that is new to our congregation. The husband has only been in the (funny I almost typed "truth") Borg for 3 years or so. The Husband is a retired college professor of 32 years. His area of expertise: Family Law.
He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and there are twinges of light that suggest that perhaps he isn't 100% buying what hes being sold by the society.
We went to dinner together, and I made sure I seated myself across from him. As the women's conversation drifted off into gossip and field service experiences, I turned to this brother and said:
"What's your opinion on the Society discouraging witnesses from going to college?"
It was apparent that in his mind, some wheels were turning.
He attempted to preface his response by saying that the Society is merely encouraging people to pioneer, not discouragin college attendance.
I responded by saying that I had it on the highest authority that at the recent KM School, the elders were encouraged to seek out those planning to attend college, and encourage them instead to seek out some full time service.
He became visibly angry, and began commenting on the disadvantages of having six million dumb as a rock followers.
At this point, the entire table was enveloped in our conversation.
My mother jumped in and asked was he going to allow his daughter (age 12, and really sweet) to go to college.
His response:
"the only question is:does she want to stop with her Master's, or go for her Ph. D.?"
He then told of situation where a PO had just earned his Ph.D., and now, 2 years later, was telling his son that he would not allow him to go to college.
He turned to my mother, and told her that the Watchtower depiction of college life was nothing short of a lie. No one is walking around naked waiting to fall on you, or shoving beer down your throat. People have their own lives, and what they do is purely their choice. So the worst case scenario presented to world-weary parents is really a misrepresentation of reality.
The conversation managed to fade to a different topic, as several people were verging on free-thought, and their bible-trained consciences were kicking in.
But it was good to know that I'm not alone.